An Interview with LYAC Councillor Asala Aladl
Asala Aladl, the Ward Three councillor for LYAC, could easily be summed up as this: a compassionate, caring individual with a passion for politics and giving youth a voice.
The LYAC Storytelling Team met with Asala to discuss who she is and what she likes to do, and talk about her experiences in Libya, which she visited over the summer.
She told us how she was born in Canada and raised in London, and how both her parents were from Libya, with her dad pursuing his PhD in Canada. Her dad is a computer programmer, her mother a software developer; and she has a brother in grade ten. Asala is a Grade 12 student at Lucas, where she started a Model United Nations club and is president of the Muslim Student Association. “A big part of my identity would be being a Muslim, my passion for politics and law, and helping youth take opportunities.” Asala told us. She plans to attend Western Law school.
Asala spoke about how she travels to Libya every three years, and has many extended family members there. Her family has many members near the Libyan conflict, and she said that her family would be following the news constantly to see how other members of the family would be doing. Some members of the family would become involved in the riots, making it even more stressful.
“The media doesn’t portray the conflict right,” Asala said. “There are still things going on besides everything that was happening.”
There are also multiple major cultural differences between Libya and Canada. “You aren’t accustomed to the privileges in Canada, and you learn to be grateful,” Asala said. “There isn’t a lot of Internet, and there’s a huge emphasis on house parties and family values.” In Canada, Asala explained, people tend to be more standoffish and don’t talk to their neighbours as much.
When she was visiting, Asala was told that she had adapted to the Western way of thinking, which didn’t make her feel as included. “If I complained about the heat, or didn’t know how to cook something, or some inconvenience they’re used to but I’m not, I got told I was Canadian.” A quote that she says has stuck with her is “Too west for the east, and too east for the west.”
Asala said that she gets called out in Canada for the way she dresses and what she eats, saying that racism is something she has to think about every day. “I wish people knew I wore the hijab because it’s my choice, it wasn’t forced on me. I’m a peaceful person and want peace for anyone regardless of anything,” she said. She also feels that her friends don’t understand where she comes from and her religion, and how there will always be that barrier wherever she goes.
Asala ran for the LYAC to learn more about politics, having always had an interest in it. Her family is very interested in it, and the conflicts in Libya helped fuel her passion even more.
“The LYAC has been an amazing experience, it’s my second term and has been very eye-opening. It’s given me a lot of confidence,” Asala said. “I got to meet so many people in my ward, and it was a push for me to be more involved in school and my community.” Asala said that she got to learn so much about London and become more of a critical thinker.
“It’s tough for young people to find leadership opportunities,” she added.
Right now, Asala has been working on making safe spaces for youth to hang out and spend time with others.
Asala thinks that some of the biggest issues in London are homelessness and racism, the racism manifesting itself in street harassment, harassment at school and work, and rude comments. “If you build a strong community, you can solve any problem,” she said.
When asked what advice she wanted everyone to know, she responded:
“I want people to know that you are more capable than you perceive yourself to be, and you can do anything if you persist and take initiative; you can change the world.”
